Background of Emergency Rooms
Currently emergency rooms are becoming more crowded than ever According to MSNBC emergency room
visits by elderly 65 and older has risen 26 percent in 2003. Those under Medicaid were five time more likely to visit the
emergency room that those having private insurance. Residents of the nursing home ages 65-74 were five times more likely to
visit the emergency rooms than those not in the nursing home(MSNBC).
Uninsured and Why You Should Care
An estimated 15.6 percent of Americans are uninsured. In order to pay for the services hospitals
raise the price for those that do have either Medicaid or Medicare. The costs of the procedures are rising while the cost
of Medicaid and Medicare are the same causing a fluctuation of medical costs.
Teens and their Contribution
Teen driving also contributes to the overcrowding of the emergency room. A reported 42 percent
of all teen drivers are in a car crash each year (National Safety Council). A study discovered that 40 percent of teens treated
in the ER tested positive for alcohol or drugs (Journal of Pediatric Surgery).
Why Patients Visit
the Emergency Rooms
Patients visiting the Emergency room were usually treated for minor problems
such as fever, coughs and chest pains. A mere 14 percent of patients visited because of injuries and 35 percent were because
of falls or being hit by a car.
